Combination radio and electric iron device

Abstract

A combination radio and electric ironing device. Standard radio components and an electrical heating element are built into the thermoplastic casing of the device, which is made of lightweight and durable polymeric material. The electrical heating element is flat bottomed and forms the iron portion of the invention. Standard radio components include an on/off switch, an AM/FM tuner, an AM/FM switch, an AM/FM dial face, two speakers and a retractable antenna. The iron portion of the invention includes an on/off switch and a slidable adjustment bar to control the temperature of the iron. The combination radio and electric ironing device also has a convenient handle and utilizes a standard electrical outlet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/220,478, filed Jul. 25, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a combination radio and electric iron device.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Electrical appliances are a staple in most peoples' lives and make life easier and simpler for those that use them. It seems that there are an infinite number of combinations of electrical appliances and accessories that ingenious inventors have used to continually make these electrical appliances more useful and functional for their users. These devices are also reflected in the related art as well.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 1,684,742 issued to Picklesimer, U.S. Pat. No. 2,209,086 issued to Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,271,371 issued to Harding and U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,139 issued to Hall, all outline the use of a light or lighting attachment together with an ironing device. The devices outlined in the Picklesimer patent and Johnson patent are attachments to an ironing device, while the devices outlined in the Harding patent and the Hall patent utilize lights that are built into the ironing device itself.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 2,362,591, issued to Smith, outlines the use of an ironing device together with an electric fan that is built into the ironing device. The fan is positioned in such a fashion on the ironing device that the area around the ironing device stays cool. The fan also serves to dry the fabric over which the iron has passed to eliminate wrinkles.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 2,639,520, issued to Anderson et al., outlines the use of an ironing device that has an electric clock that is automatically set within the ironing device. The clock runs continuously so that the user of the ironing device always has access to the clock, so that she can time herself during the course of her work.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,260 issued to Zai outlines the use of a combination vacuum cleaner and steam iron device. The device is provided with a chamber for containing water and another chamber for collecting dust. There is also a heating device mounted in the water chamber by which steam is generated and a motor and a fan are also provided for generating a suction force. The suction force is used for the vacuum cleaner portion of the device.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,934 issued to Nakada et al. outlines a cordless electric iron and stand assembly provided with a timed audible reheat alarm. The cordless electric iron and stand assembly is designed to support the iron when the iron is not in use for actual ironing and to conduct heating current to the iron while the iron is placed on the stand assembly.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,614 issued to Stutzer outlines the use of an electric steam iron that includes an electrically heated soleplate. The soleplate is configured so to form and enclose an atomization chamber on the surface of the soleplate. An aerosol spraying device is provided on the backside behind the atomization chamber on the soleplate to provide moisture to any clothing being ironed.

[0012] Although there are many useful and interesting devices combined with an ordinary electric iron outlined in the related art, what would really be useful is an electric iron combined with a radio. Such a device could help the person using the electric iron be entertained while he or she works.

[0013] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The invention is a combination radio and electric ironing device. Standard radio components and an electrical heating element are built into the thermoplastic casing of the device, which is made of lightweight and durable polymeric material. The electrical heating element is flat bottomed and forms the iron portion of the invention. Standard radio components include an on/off switch, an AM/FM tuner, an AM/FM switch, an AM/FM dial face, two speakers and a retractable antenna. The iron portion of the invention includes an on/off switch and a slidable adjustment bar to control the temperature of the iron. The combination radio and electric ironing device also has a convenient handle and utilizes a standard electrical outlet.

[0015] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an electric iron combined with a convenient AM/FM radio.

[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide an electric iron that can play music while it is being used.

[0017] It is a further object of the invention to provide a source of entertainment while a person uses an ironing device.

[0018] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0019] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a combination radio and electric iron device according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a combination radio and electric iron device according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a combination radio and electric iron device according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 4 is an electrical diagram of a combination radio and electric iron device according to the present invention.

[0024] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] The present invention is a combination radio and electric ironing device 10, as depicted in FIG. 1.

[0026] The combination radio and electric ironing device 10, shown more fully in FIGS. 2 and 3, is comprised of the radio components of an entire radio 25 including an on/off switch 20, an AM/FM tuner 30, an AM/FM switch 40, an AM/FM dial face 50, two speakers 60 (one shown in FIG. 3, the other being symmetrically disposed on the opposite side of the handle 130), an antenna 70, and an electric cord 80 and plug 90 for connection to the AC mains to supply power for the combination radio and electric ironing device 10.

[0027] The combination radio and electric ironing device 10 is further comprised of a plate and enclosed electrical heating element 100 with a substantially flat bottom and an adjustment means for controlling the temperature and the amount of heat that is generated on the outer surface of the electrical heating element 100. The adjusting means is a slidable adjustment bar 110, that is adjusted by hand, and like the other features of the combination radio and electric ironing device 10, is depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0028] A triangular thermoplastic casing 120 and handle 130 are used to hold the radio components and the electric heating element 100 in a single unit. The radio components and electric heating element 100 are both well-known to those that are skilled in the art and are not novel features of the invention. The thermoplastic casing 120 and handle 130 are made with lightweight but durable polymeric thermoplastic material of a type conventional for electric irons. The combination radio and ironing device 10 is designed to keep the radio 25 portion of the device 10 from being affected by heat from the heating element 100.

[0029] A small but powerful sound speaker 60 is provided on each side of the combination radio and electric iron device 10 (one on the right side and one on the left side). The antenna 70 is of the telescoping variety and is easily retracted or extended by hand. The antenna 70 is also flush against the handle 130 and is easily concealed when retracted. As depicted in FIG. 4, the power source for the combination radio and electric iron 10 is a standard electrical outlet 150 and there is also an on and off switch 140 for the electric heating element 100 as well.

[0030] Operation and use of the combination radio and electric iron device 10 is uncomplicated. Adjustments with the on/off switch for the radio 20, the on/off switch for the iron 140, the AM/FM tuner 30, the AM/FM switch 40 and the antenna 70 are all done by hand and are self-explanatory. The combination radio and electric iron device 10 is designed to be used with standard electrical outlets as a power source 150.

[0031] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A combination radio and electric ironing device, comprising:

an electric iron, including a housing having a handle and a base, a flat plate attached to the base of the housing, and an electric heating element disposed in the flat plate; and

a radio receiver disposed in said housing, whereby a person may listen to the radio while ironing clothes.

2. The combination radio and electric ironing device according to claim 1, wherein said radio receiver is capable of receiving AM/FM radio broadcasts.

3. The combination radio and electric ironing device according to claim 1, wherein said radio receiver includes a pair of speakers disposed in opposite sides of the handle of said electric iron.

4. The combination radio and electric ironing device according to claim 1, wherein said radio receiver includes an AM/FM tuner disposed on the housing of said electric iron for selecting a desired radio station signal.

5. The combination radio and electric ironing device according to claim 1, wherein said radio receiver includes a telescoping radio antenna attached to the housing of said electric iron.

6. The combination radio and electric ironing device according to claim 1, further comprising an electric cord and wall outlet plug electrically connected to said heating element and to said radio receiver for supplying electrical power to the combination radio and electric ironing device.

7. The combination radio and electric ironing device according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment means for controlling the temperature and an amount of heat generated by the electric heating element.

8. The combination radio and electric ironing device according to claim 1, wherein said housing is triangular and is made of thermoplastic material.

9. The combination radio and electric ironing device according to claim 1, further comprising a slidable adjustment bar connected to said electric heating element for controlling the temperature and an amount of heat generated by the heating element.